GateHouse News Service New England Budget  January 31, 2008

Thursday

Jan 31, 2008 at 12:01 AMJan 31, 2008 at 12:10 AM

Here are the top New England regional stories coming today from GateHouse News Service. Stories are available at gatehousenewsservice.com.

Here are the top New England regional stories coming today from GateHouse News Service. Stories are available at gatehousenewsservice.com. Please submit stories below no later than 6 p.m. local time, unless you have breaking news that is changing significantly. Questions?

Contact: Chris Biondi, (508) 626-4343, cbiondi@gatehousemedia.com

News

KINDERGARTNER DIES AFTER CHOKING ON TACK - A 5-year-old boy choked to death Wednesday afternoon after he swallowed a tack while riding a school bus, officials said.
MetroWest, Lynch, 12 inches, on wire now
With photo

WITH FORECLOSURES, SHELTERS SEE RISE IN ABANDONED PETS - As thousands of homeowners across the country face foreclosure, some pets have become victims of the nation's housing crisis and are left behind when owners abandon their homes.
MetroWest, Hillard, 20 inches, on wire now
With photo

TEEN LAUNCHES NE SPORTS WEB SITE - I'm bored. It's rare those words from a 13-year-old lead to anything good, but they were the start of something unique for Rahul Matta and his dad. NEteams.com launched about a month ago.
MetroWest, Spitz, 20 inches, on wire now
With photo

ONLINE OR IN THE OFFICE, SUPER BOWL WAGERING IS AT A FEVER PITCH - Jonathan Myers has to stop himself from placing too many bets on the Super Bowl. ‘‘I want to bet everything,’’ Myers said as he looked at a list of 600 ways to wager on Sunday’s game between the undefeated New England Patriots and the surging New York Giants.
Ledger, Campanella, 12 inches, on wire now
WITH GRAPHIC TO COME

5 SOUTH SHORE DISTRICTS GET MONEY FOR FULL-DAY PROGRAMS - Five South Shore school districts will be beneficiaries of a $2.8 million state grant program that distributes money to help pay for creation of full-day kindergarten programs.
Ledger, Walsh, 12 inches, on wire now
With list

BRAINTREE POLICE OPEN SUBSTATION AT SOUTH SHORE PLAZA - Mayor Joseph Sullivan and other elected officials were on hand Wednesday for the official ribbon cutting ceremony to open a police substation at the plaza near the second floor food court.
Ledger, Tatz, 12 inches, on wire now
With photo

E-TEXTBOOKS OFFER STUDENTS A THINNER, CHEAPER ALTERNATIVE - Few courses offer downloadable textbooks at the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth this semester, but some students say they would prefer the cost savings and the convenience of not carrying books from class to class.
Herald News, Welker, 25 inches, on wire now
With photos

Business

VIDEO: WHITE HEN PANTRY TESTS CONVENIENT CONCEPT - A new store concept from White Hen Pantry and the prototype, dubbed Pantry Gourmet, opened its doors on Wednesday to a steady stream of curious customers.
MetroWest, Turner, 20 inches, on wire now
With video and photos

FEDERAL DEFENSE CONTRACTS IN MASSACHUSETTS NEARLY DOUBLE IN FOUR YEARS - The amount of money spent on federal defense contracts in Massachusetts has nearly doubled over a four-year period, according to a report from the University of Massachusetts.
Ledger, Chesto, 10 inches, on wire now

CURTAIN COMPANY CUTTING JOBS - The remnants of another landmark city textile manufacturer will soon close, leaving upward of 90 workers jobless. CHF Industries Inc. will stop making curtains at the 847 Pleasant St. plant on March 9, the company and city officials said Wednesday.
Herald News, Holtzman, 15 inches, on wire now

Opinions

GUEST COLUMN: RICHMAN: FILLING THE GAP IN ORAL HEALTH CARE - When it comes to the issue of access to care for basic oral health services, there is at least one point where there should be no disagreement. The fact that millions of Americans continue to suffer from dental disease because they cannot afford to pay for these services is indeed a disgrace.
President of Mass. Dental Association, MetroWest, on wire now

PETER CHIANCA: YOU CAN’T TEACH AN OLD DOG NEW SONGS - Recently I was sent the CD “Songs to Make Dogs Happy” by the Laurel Canyon Animal Co. These are songs that the Laurel Canyon Animal Co. knows canines find pleasing, because they asked the dogs, whose answers were translated by “intuitive animal communicator” Dr. Kim Ogden. It’s worth noting that the dogs also, to a one, all said Dr. Ogden was doing a fabulous job.
CNC, on wire now

GO ASK ALICE: MCCAPPUCINO ANYONE? - I’m not telling McDonald’s how to run the business. They’ve had the right formula for fast food success forever. Nobody makes better fries. But when it comes to lattes, McDonald’s is just not likely to be my cup of tea.
CNC, on wire now

CULTURE CLASH: RESPECT IN THE EYE OF THE SUPER BOWL XLII BEHOLDER - John Meo looks at the world through tar-covered glasses. A pragmatist and realist, Meo will debate cultural and social topics with Tim Malcolm, an optimist and idealist.
Norwich, on wire now

IMPROV SHOWS BRING HOWLS OF LAUGHTER IN BOSTON AND INSPIRE STUDENTS - From watching the television show “Whose Line Is It, Anyway?” many people have seen improvisation. Still, they sometimes confuse it with stand-up comedy, which it’s not.
Ledger, Feinberg, 30 inches, on wire now, with photos

CONCERT SALUTES LATE IRISH FOLK MUSICIAN TOMMY MAKEM - On Saturday, Feb. 9 at 8 p.m., The Makem Brothers, Mickey and Liam Spain, The Dady Brothers, Brendan Carroll and Liam Maguire will take the stage at Memorial Hall in Melrose, and Makem’s memory will take top billing.
CNC, DeMaina, 30 inches, on wire now
With photos

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